In vitro immunologic studies on a population of workers exposed to phthalic and tetrachlorophthalic anhydride.

In vitro radioallergosorbent tests have not been useful in identification of subjects with symptomatic allergic responses to acid anhydrides. By using phthalic anhydride or tetrachlorophthalic anhydride conjugated to human serum albumin, a study was undertaken to determine whether histamine release from basophils or lymphocyte transformation correlated with clinical symptoms, circulating anhydride specific IgE, and skin test reactivity. The data demonstrate that only histamine release from basophils correlated with symptoms and skin test reactivity.

Regulation of human IgE synthesis by soluble factors. Papain treatment of a FcE receptor-positive B-cell line (RPMI-1788) releases regulatory factors for IgE synthesis.

A novel mechanism for the release of helper and suppressor factors for human IgE synthesis is described. When FcE receptor-positive RPMI-1788 cells are treated with papain, a helper factor(s) for human IgE synthesis is released. At the same time a significant decrease in the number of cell surface FcE receptors is observed.

Induction of human immunoglobulin synthesis (IgG, IgA) by the novel, T cell independent mitogen Cytophaga allerginae endotoxin.

Cytophaga allerginae endotoxin (CAE) has been purified from C. allerginae, a newly discovered bacterial species isolated from a chilled water spray humidification system. The present study was undertaken in order to determine whether CAE can induce immunoglobulin synthesis by human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in culture.